Iran’s atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami arrived in Moscow this week to finalize agreements with Russia that include building eight new nuclear power plants, part of Tehran’s plan to generate 20 GW of nuclear capacity by 2040. Eslami said contract negotiations were complete and with the signing of the deal, “we will enter the operational steps.”
The visit comes as the U.N. Security Council weighs whether to reimpose sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program. Last week, the council rejected a draft resolution backed by Russia and China to permanently lift sanctions, a move opposed by Britain, France, and Germany, who accuse Tehran of violating the 2015 nuclear accord.
European nations have offered to delay sanctions for six months if Iran restores access for U.N. inspectors, addresses concerns over its uranium stockpile, and resumes talks with the United States. If no agreement is reached by September 27, all U.N. sanctions are set to return.
